The Best Easy Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

There’s nothing quite like the aroma of fresh homemade cinnamon rolls baking in the oven to bring a sense of warmth and comfort to your home. Whether you’re gathering with loved ones for breakfast or treating yourself to a cozy indulgence, these cinnamon rolls are certain to make any moment feel special.

I used to be intimidated by the thought of making them. Then it dawned on me that it was as simple as using my homemade roll recipe, adding the filling and icing at the end.

Once I tried it, I realized it wasn’t that hard after all. (NOTE: I use all-purpose flour instead of bread flour on the cinnamon roll dough for the best results.

Making them from scratch is easier than you might think, and they’re well worth the effort. Follow this simple recipe to create soft, fluffy, and delicious cinnamon rolls your whole family will love.

Grab your apron and let’s get baking!

Ingredients 

Cinnamon Roll Dough

• 1 cup of warm milk (105-110°F)
• 1/2 cup of warm water (105-110°F)
• 1/4 cup of oil (vegetable or canola)
• 2 eggs (lightly beaten)
• 1/2 cup of sugar
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 5 cups of all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons instant yeast or active dry yeast

Filling

• 1/3 cup softened salted butter ( you can use unsalted butter as well)
• 1 cup brown sugar (I use dark brown sugar but you can use light as well)
• 2.5 tablespoons ground cinnamon

Cream Cheese Icing

• 4 oz of cream cheese softened
• 3 tablespoons of softened butter
• 2 cups of powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon of imitation vanilla (if you use pure vanilla extract you will need to use only 1/2 of a tablespoon)

Kitchen Equipment

• Bread machine or a stand mixer with a dough hook
• Silicone baking mat
• Measuring spoons 
• Measuring cups
• Basting brush
• Rolling pin
• 9×13 glass baking dish 8×8 square glass dish you can also use round baking pans

Instructions For Bread Machine

1. In a bread machine add all ingredients in the order they are shown above. This is very important to stick with the wet ingredients first and then add the dry ingredients last. Make a little “pond” in the flour and place the yeast there.
2. Once all ingredients are in the bread machine, select the dough setting and push the start button. This should take about 1.5 hours. Right before the timer is up grease your baking dishes. 
3. When finished, turn the homemade dough out onto a silicone baking mat or a lightly floured surface. Roll out into a rectangular-looking shape with a rolling pin.
4. In a small bowl, soften the butter just enough that it’s pliable but not completely melted. Brush the butter on the rolled-out dough and spread it around evenly with your basting brush. Leave about 1 TBSP behind.
5. Next, mix the cinnamon and brown sugar, then rub the cinnamon mixture on your dough.
6. Roll the rectangle up from the long end, rolling as tight as you can.
7. Cut into 1-inch rolls with unflavored dental floss or a sharp knife and place in prepared baking pan for 30-60 minutes until unbaked rolls almost double.
8. Preheat oven to 350 and bake for 20 minutes. We like our warm rolls barely done so we pull them out within 20 minutes. If you want them more golden brown on top you can always leave them in longer for 25 minutes.

Step-by-step Instructions For Making By Hand Or With A Stand Mixer

Step 1: In the bowl of a stand mixer, add your warm water, warm milk, instant yeast, oil, eggs, sugar, and sea salt, and mix with the dough hook attachment. Add in flour. Run the mixer at a low speed, as the dough comes together then move to medium speed. Allow the dough hook to knead the sticky dough for 5-7 minutes.

• Scrape the sides of the bowl if necessary.

IF MIXING BY HAND:

Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, add warm milk, warm water, instant yeast, oil, eggs, sugar, and sea salt. Stir with a wooden spoon to combine.

Add 5 cups of flour. When the dough starts to come together, transfer it to a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes, or until it’s smooth and elastic.

Step 2: Place the kneaded dough into a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.

Step 3: Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release any air bubbles. Roll it out on a floured surface into a large rectangle, about 1/4 inch thick.

Step 5: Spread 5 TBSP of softened butter evenly over the surface of the dough leaving 1 TBSP behind. Mix the brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl, then sprinkle it generously over the buttered dough. Spread it out evenly with your hands.

Step 6: Starting from the long edge, tightly roll the dough into a log. Use a sharp knife or unflavored dental floss to cut the log into 20 equal pieces. Arrange the rolls in greased baking dishes, leaving a little space between them for spreading. 

Step 7: Melt the remaining 1 TBSP of butter and brush the tops of the rolls with it. Cover the rolls with a towel and let them rise for 30-45 minutes, or until they’ve puffed up.

Step 8: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Bake the rolls for 20 minutes, or until they’re golden brown.

Step 9: While the rolls are baking, prepare the icing by mixing the powdered sugar, softened cream cheese, softened butter, and vanilla extract until smooth. Spread or drizzle the icing (however you prefer) over the warm cinnamon rolls as soon as they come out of the oven. Now your yummy cinnamon rolls are ready to serve.

I tend to “slather” my icing everywhere. I love to spread it while the cinnamon rolls are hot so it will be nice and warm, gooey, and oh so yummy. But you may want to just drizzle your icing and not use as much as we do.

That’s why cooking with Mama is fun. You can make it like you want it, and I won’t judge you! We all like things differently, icing, no icing, lots of icing, or medium icing…. It is whatever you prefer. Help yourself!

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Variations and Extra Thoughts

Cut the cinnamon rolls into 1.5-inch rolls and only use one pan. The rolls will be more dense and will not have to rise as long. This will yield approximately 15 doing it this way.

If you do not like the icing runny and gooey, wait until the rolls are cooled off and you can add the icing then.

Leave a Comment Below

Enjoy these warm, gooey cinnamon rolls with a cup of cold milk. They’re perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a special treat for the family!

And if you do try them, leave a comment below and let me know what you think. Do you eat them for breakfast or as a dessert, or maybe both?!

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